CAMP REPORT 2019 NFL Draft Rounds 4-7 (no spoilers)

[12intheBox]

Here we go ...

 

[Memento]

Here's hoping that Emmanuel Hall is our final pick!

 

[André]

Well, it's a linebacker.

Dakota Allen.

 

[hotanez]

LB on our last pick

 

[Akrasian]

A linebacker. Are people happy?

 

[12intheBox]

Allen was three-star recruit from Humble, Texas, when arriving in Lubbock in 2014. As a redshirt freshman, he looked like a future star with 87 tackles, six for loss, and two interceptions in 12 games (five starts). Allen was dismissed from Tech before the 2016 season after being arrested for home burglary and stealing guns. Those charges were ultimately dismissed. He played at East Mississippi Community College in 2016 while his fate was being determined, earning All-Region honors (117 tackles) and becoming a fitting participant in the "Last Chance U." series on Netflix. Allen got his second chance after being able to re-enroll at Tech for 2017, leading the team with 102 tackles, six for loss, intercepting two passes, and breaking up four others. He was a first-team all-conference selection his senior year, starting 11 contests after posting 73 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and two pass breakups.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Priority free agent
NFL Comparison
Hardy Nickerson, Jr.
Overview
Allen is an inside linebacker with good toughness and intangibles but lacks the speed and instincts teams look for in the middle. He plays with good short-area quickness and a willingness to stick his nose into oncoming traffic in order to leverage his gap and set his teammates up for success. With adequate athleticism and the potential to become a core special teamer, Allen could hear his name called in the later rounds of the draft.
Strengths

• Redeemed himself after facing tremendous personal adversity
• Elected team captain in both years after his return to the program
• Coachable and leads by example with team-first approach
• Feet are active and ready post-snap
• Rushes downhill, attacking pull and iso blocks to leverage gap and do his part for the scheme
• Adequate short-area burst to scrape
• Consistent to sink and explode through ball carriers as tackler
• Well-conditioned and doesn't fatigue easily in up-tempo conference
• Comfortable dropping in space and mirroring quarterback's eyes
• Soft hands with four career interceptions.

Weaknesses

• Instincts need work from the middle
• Misses opportunities to go gap-shooting for the tackle for loss
• More race than pace in flow to the football
• Runs to a spot rather than feeling the ball-carrier's intentions
• Over-commits and misses potential run fits
• Below-average slipping and disengaging from blocks
• Missing big closing burst in sideline-to-sideline pursuit
• Chomps on play-fakes and gets baited out of position

 

[Ramhusker]

Ok , finally a LB.

 

[Stl2La]

Guy was on Last Chance U

 

[12intheBox]

Time to watch last chance U

 

[Ants]

Well, FWIW he's Athlon's 4th rated ILB (3/4th round grade).
Says he's an "NFL-caliber athlete".
Not a bad 7th round pick.

 

[Memento]

I'm actually fine with Dakota Allen. Got dismissed from Tech because of off the field issues, but redeemed himself. He's quite productive. Good in coverage, has soft hands for a linebacker.

 

[jrry32]

Not what I'd draft. We don't have safety issues, especially not with Countess and Christian. And Rapp's probably going to play special teams as well.

I just don't see the value of another safety over linebacker or wide receiver.

They're going to give Bones his guys.

 

[Loyal]

I’m just happy it’s over (wait, did I type that out like loud?)

 

[Ramhusker]

We drafted some academic allstars in this draft.

 

[jrry32]

When can they start calling UDFAs?

They start during the late rounds.

 

[André]

Damn, I was hoping Brailford would make it to UFA status.

 

[Loyal]

Damn, I was hoping Brailford would make it to UFA status.

Are you saying that Sam Bradford is so blind that he uses Braille to find the open guy?

 

[Memento]

And so the 2019 NFL Draft ends...can't wait for 2020!

 

[Ramhusker]

Pretty good Mr Irrelevant!

 

[Akrasian]

I'm actually fine with Dakota Allen. Got dismissed from Tech because of off the field issues, but redeemed himself. He's quite productive. Good in coverage, has soft hands for a linebacker.

FWIW, the burglary charges were dropped - and then when he came back to school was voted Captain twice by his teammates.